Stretch releasing adhesive tape with differential adhesive properties

ABSTRACT

A stretch releasing adhesive tape article including an elongated length of stretch releasing adhesive tape with side surfaces including at least one potential contact surface area. At least a portion of the potential contact surface area includes an adhesive surface. The potential contact surface area includes a first interface surface area in the uncompressed state and a second interface surface area greater than the first interface surface area in the compressed state. The stretch releasing adhesive tape in the uncompressed state can operate as a pull tab. The potential contact surface area in the uncompressed state can include a plurality of raised portions, a non-planar structure, or a discontinuous surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an elongated stretchreleasing adhesive tape article with a geometry that providesdifferential adhesive properties, and in particular, to a geometry thatprovides regions of reduced adhesion to form pull-tabs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Stretch releasing adhesive tapes represent an emerging class ofhigh performance pressure-sensitive adhesives combining strong holdingpower with clean removal and no surface damage. Such stretch releasingadhesive tapes are useful in a wide variety of assembling, joining,attaching, and mounting applications.

[0003] Adhesive tape strips that can be cleanly removed from a surfaceby stretching the tape strip are known in the patented prior art. TheKorpman U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,312, for example, discloses a highlyconformable adhesive tape including a highly extensible and elasticbacking film laminated with an adhesive layer. The backing filmpossesses a lengthwise elongation at break of at least about 200%. Thetape is easily stretchable and may be removed from a surface bystretching the tape lengthwise in a direction substantially parallel tothe surface. German Patent No. 33 31 016 discloses a high elasticity,low plasticity adhesive film based on a thermoplastic rubber andtackifying resins, wherein the adhesive bond can be broken by stretchingthe adhesive film in the direction of the plane of the adhesive bond.

[0004] The Kreckel et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,581, assigned to the sameassignee as the present invention, discloses a removable adhesive tapehaving a highly extensible and substantially inelastic backing coatedwith a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesive tape can beremoved from a substrate without damaging the substrate by stretchingthe tape in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of thesubstrate. The tape backing has a lengthwise elongation at break of fromabout 150% to about 1200%, a Young's modulus of at least about 2,500 psito about 72,500 psi, and an elastic recovery of less than about 50%after being stretched and removed. PCT International Publication No. WO95/06691 discloses a removable foam adhesive tape comprising a backingincluding a layer of polymeric foam, and a layer of pressure-sensitiveadhesive coated on at least one surface of the backing. The foam layerof the backing has a thickness of about 30 to about 1000 mils, and thebacking has a lengthwise elongation at break of from about 50% to about1200%, and a Young's modulus of less than about 2,400 psi.

[0005] Commercial stretch releasing adhesive tapes include the productsold under the trade designation COMMAND by Minnesota Mining andManufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn., and the product sold under thetrade designation POWER-STRIPS by Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, Germany. Theseproducts are currently manufactured as discrete strips with one end ofthe strip including a non-adhesive pull tab to facilitate stretching ofthe strip during removal. The adhesive surfaces of the strip areadditionally protected with a release liner.

[0006] Desirable for certain applications is an elongated stretchreleasing adhesive tape strip of indefinite length which can be formedinto a roll or stack from which segments of selected length can be cutdepending on the end use application. The difficulty with providing along length of stretch releasing tape which can be cut to a selectedlength is the ability to provide a pull tab at a specific location onthe cut strip to serve as a grasping area for stretching the strip froma surface at the time of removal.

[0007] PCT International Publication No. WO 98/06652 discloses a lengthcutting fixture that can be used to form a non-adhesive pull tab or“gripper” at the end of a long length of a conventional single-sidedadhesive tape. The length cutting fixture also serves to cut the longlength of tape, now including the gripper, to any selected length. Thegripper is formed by folding the end of the tape back onto itself. Sucha length cutting fixture, however, cannot be used to form a non-adhesivepull tab on a double-sided adhesive tape.

[0008] It is therefore desirable to provide a stretch releasing adhesivetape article in a long length or a roll that can be cut into discretestrips having any selected length, wherein each strip can be providedwith a pull tab or stretch removal tab that can be grasped and pulled bya user to remove the adhesive tape from a substrate.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to various embodiments of a stretchreleasing adhesive tape with a geometry that provides differentialadhesive properties in a compressed state and an uncompressed state.Adhesion and tack can thus be controlled by varying the amount ofcompression. Additionally, the present stretch releasing adhesive tapecan be easily repositioned prior to compression. A portion of thepresent stretch releasing adhesive tape can be left in the uncompressedstate, thereby providing one or more pull tabs. The stretch releasingadhesive tape of the present invention can be provided in strips ofvarying lengths, in roll form, or in a stack.

[0010] In one embodiment, the stretch releasing adhesive tape articleincludes an elongated length of stretch releasing adhesive tape withside surfaces comprising at least one potential contact surface area. Atleast a portion of the potential contact surface area comprises anadhesive surface having raised portions. The potential contact surfacearea comprises a first interface surface area in the uncompressed stateand a second interface surface area greater than the first interfacesurface area in the compressed state. The stretch releasing adhesivetape in the uncompressed state can operate as a pull tab.

[0011] In another embodiment, the stretch releasing adhesive tapearticle comprises an elongated length of stretch releasing adhesive tapewith adhesive on all side surfaces. The side surfaces have at least onepotential contact surface area. The potential contact surface area has afirst interface surface area in an uncompressed state and a secondinterface surface area greater than the first interface surface area ina compressed state.

[0012] In one embodiment, the stretch releasing adhesive tape comprisesa multi-layered structure. The stretch releasing adhesive tape can haveone or more elastic or inelastic structural members. The structuralmember can be foam, film, a monofilament or a variety of othermaterials. A film can optionally be interposed between the adhesive andthe structural member or located at the interior of the structuralmember. The stretch releasing adhesive tape can be one of a pressuresensitive adhesive tape with an elastic structural member, a pressuresensitive adhesive tape with a highly extensible and substantiallyinelastic structural member, or a solid pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0013] In the various embodiments, the potential contact surface area inthe uncompressed state can be a plurality of raised portions, anon-planar structure, a discontinuous surface, or combinations thereof.The stretch releasing adhesive tape in the uncompressed state comprisesa cross-section selected from circular, star-shaped, oval, multifacetedor any other geometric shape that provides less surface area in theuncompressed state than in the compressed state. In another embodiment,the potential contact surface area comprises a rectangular cross-sectionof stretch releasing adhesive tape twisted to form helical ridges. Thepotential contact surface area can have adhesive regions andnon-adhesive regions.

[0014] The elongated length of stretch releasing adhesive tape can besegments or a roll. A release liner may optionally be used. Frangibleconnections can be formed intermittently along the stretch releasingadhesive tape.

[0015] The present invention is also direct to a method of using astretch releasing adhesive tape article with differential adhesiveproperties, including the steps of positioning a potential contactsurface area of an elongated length of stretch releasing adhesive tapeon a substrate to form a first interface surface area; compressing aportion of the stretch releasing adhesive tape to form a secondinterface surface area, the second interface surface area being greaterthan the first interface surface area; and retaining an uncompressedportion of the stretch releasing adhesive tape as a pull tab.

[0016] In another method the steps include providing an elongated lengthof stretch releasing adhesive tape with a generally rectangular crosssection; twisting at least a portion of the stretch releasing adhesivetape to form a twisted portion with a plurality of helical ridges;positioning the stretch releasing adhesive tape on a substrate, thetwisted portion defining a first interface surface area; compressing anuntwisted portion of the stretch releasing adhesive tape against thesubstrate to form a second interface surface area greater than the firstinterface surface area; and retaining the twisted portion in anuncompressed state to form a pull tab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0017] The present invention will be further described with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a front view of an article attached to a substrate usinga stretch releasing adhesive.

[0019]FIG. 2 is perspective view of a stretch releasing adhesive tapewith a rectangular shape.

[0020]FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a stretch releasing adhesive tapein an uncompressed state in accordance with the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the stretch releasing adhesivetape of FIG. 3A in a compressed state.

[0022]FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternate stretch releasingadhesive tape in an uncompressed state in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0023]FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the stretch releasing adhesivetape of FIG. 4A in the compressed state.

[0024]FIG. 5A is perspective view of a stretch releasing adhesive tapein an uncompressed state in accordance with the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 5B is perspective view of the stretch releasing adhesive tapeof FIG. 5A in the compressed state.

[0026]FIG. 6A is perspective view of a stretch releasing adhesive tapein an uncompressed state in accordance with the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the stretch releasing adhesivetape of FIG. 6A in the compressed state.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a stretch releasing adhesive tapewith helical ridges in accordance with the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stretch releasing adhesive tapewith a rectangular portion and a portion with helical ridges inaccordance with the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 9A is perspective view of a stretch releasing adhesive tapewith discontinuous adhesive regions in an uncompressed state inaccordance with the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the stretch releasing adhesivetape of FIG. 9A in the compressed state.

[0032]FIG. 10 is a front view of an article attached to a substrateusing a stretch releasing adhesive tape in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0033]FIG. 11 is a front view of an article attached to a substrateusing an alternate stretch releasing adhesive in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0034]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a stretch releasing adhesive tapein roll form in accordance with the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternate roll of stretchreleasing adhesive tape in accordance with present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036]FIG. 1 is a front view of an article 20 attached to a substrate 22using a stretch releasing adhesive tape 24. A portion 21 of the stretchreleasing adhesive tape 24 is compressed between the article 20 and thesubstrate 22 to form an adhesive bond. The stretch releasing adhesive 24includes a pull tab 26 that extends beyond the perimeter of the article20. The pull tab 26 typically includes non-adhesive surfaces thatprevent bonding with the substrate 22 or the article 20.

[0037] Removing the stretch releasing adhesive tape 24 from the article20 and substrate 22 can be carried out by simply stretching the stretchreleasing adhesive tape 24 in the direction 28 and at an angle of lessthan about 35 degrees with respect to the substrate 22. Removal at theappropriate angle will result in no appreciable adhesive residue on thesubstrate 22 and in preventing damage to the substrate 22.

[0038]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a segment of a stretch releasingadhesive tape 30 having a generally rectangular cross section. Thestretch releasing adhesive tape 30 has a length 32, a width 34, and athickness 36. The stretch releasing adhesive tape 30 has a potentialcontact surface area 38 and a first interface surface area 40 defined bythe length 32 times the width 34. As used herein, “potential contactsurface area” refers to the surface area on a stretch releasing adhesivetape that can potentially contact a planar substrate, whether or notthere is adhesive at the interface with the substrate. For stretchreleasing adhesive tapes with a more complex geometry, the potentialcontact surface area can also be understood as the portion of the sidesurfaces that are illuminated by a light shined perpendicular throughtransparent substrate 22 onto the stretch releasing adhesive tape. The“first interface surface area” refers to the surface area formed at theactual physical interface between the stretch releasing adhesive tapeand the substrate 22 in the uncompressed state. Due to the geometry ofthe stretch releasing adhesive tape 30, the potential contact surfacearea 38 on the stretch releasing adhesive tape 30 and the firstinterface surface area 40 with the substrate 22 are substantially thesame.

[0039] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, portion 42 of thestretch releasing adhesive 30 is compressed against the substrate 22,while portion 44 remains uncompressed. No pull tab is provided. Theportion 42 forms a strong adhesive bond with the substrate 22, while theportion 44 initially forms less of an adhesive bond. Over time, however,the uncompressed portion 44 will wet-out against the substrate 22 andbuild adhesion. Consequently, the interface surface area 40 iseffectively the same whether all or a portion of the stretch releasingadhesive tape 30 is compressed against the substrate 22.

[0040]FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a stretch releasing adhesive tape 50with differential adhesive properties in accordance with the presentinvention. Side surfaces 54 of the stretch releasing adhesive tape 50include a pressure sensitive adhesive. The pressure sensitive adhesivecan cover some or all of the side surfaces 54. For example, the pressuresensitive adhesive can be a continuous or discontinuous region on theside surfaces 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the stretch releasingadhesive tape 50 is a multi-layered structure, including a structuralmember 51, such as an elastic or inelastic foam, and a film 53interposed between the structural member 51 and the adhesive layer 55that defines the side surfaces 54. The structural member 51 can beconcentric or non-concentric with the adhesive layer 55, hollow orsolid, or symmetrical or asymmetrical with the adhesive layer 55. Anyconventionally known stretch releasing tape, however, can be used in thevarious embodiments of the present invention, including a pressuresensitive adhesive tape with an elastic core, a pressure sensitiveadhesive tape with a highly extensible and substantially inelastic core,or a solid pressure sensitive adhesive. These various structures can beused with any embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Specific tapes suitable for use in the various embodiments of thepresent invention include the pressure sensitive adhesive tapes withelastic backings described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,312 (Korpman), thepressure sensitive adhesive tapes with highly extensible andsubstantially inelastic backings described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,581(Kreckel et al.) and PCT International Publication No. WO 95/06691(Bries et al); and the solid pressure sensitive adhesive described inGerman Patent No. 33 31 016. In addition, the stretch releasing adhesivetape of the present invention can include a splittable layer such as thelayers described in PCT International Publication No. WO 98/21285, or are-fastenable layer such as the layers described in PCT InternationalPublication No. WO 99/31193.

[0042]FIG. 3A illustrates the stretch releasing adhesive tape 50 adheredto a substrate 22 in an uncompressed state 52. The adhesive sidesurfaces 54 have a potential contact surface area 56 defined by arclength 60 times length 62. The first interface surface area 58, however,is defined by arc length 64 times the length 62. The circular crosssection of the stretch releasing adhesive 50 causes the first interfacesurface area 58 with the substrate 22 to be significantly smaller thanthe potential contact surface area 56.

[0043]FIG. 3B illustrates the stretch releasing adhesive tape 50 of FIG.3A in the compressed state 70. In the compressed state 70, the potentialcontact surface area 56 defines a second interface surface area 72greater than the first interface surface area 58. The “second interfacesurface area” refers to the surface area formed at the actual physicalinterface between the stretch releasing adhesive tape and the substrate22 in the compressed state. In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, the secondinterface surface area 72 is defined by the width 71 times the length62. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the second interface surface area 72 isless than the potential contact surface area 56, although in someembodiments, they can be substantially the same.

[0044] Due to the increase in surface area, the stretch releasingadhesive tape 50 has greater adhesion with the substrate 22 in thecompressed state 70 than in the uncompressed state 52. By selectivelyleaving portions of the stretch releasing adhesive tape 50 in theuncompressed state, those portions can be later removed from thesubstrate 22 and used as pull tabs (see FIGS. 10 and 11). Additionally,the first interface surface area 58 can be made sufficiently small thatthe pressure sensitive adhesive tape 50 can be easily repositioned priorto compression into the compressed state 70.

[0045]FIG. 4A illustrates an alternate stretch releasing adhesive tape80 in an uncompressed state 82 in accordance with the present invention.The stretch releasing adhesive tape 80 includes a series of raisedportions 96A, 96B, 96C, 96D. A non-planar adhesive contact surface 86includes raised portions 96C, 96D. Raised portions 96C, 96D define apair of narrow, discrete first interface surface areas 92, 94,respectively, with the substrate 22 in the uncompressed state 82. Ratherthan the single continuous interface surface area 58 of FIG. 3A, theinterface surface areas 92, 94 are discrete and discontinuous. In theuncompressed state 82, the level of adhesion generated by the firstinterface surface areas 92, 94 is sufficiently low that a user canreposition the stretch releasing adhesive tape 80 or detach a portion ofthe stretch releasing adhesive tape 80 from the substrate 22 and use thedetached portion as a pull tab.

[0046]FIG. 4B illustrates the stretch releasing adhesive tape 80 of FIG.4A in a compressed state 84. In the compressed state 84, the firstinterface surface areas 92, 94 are expanded to form the second interfacesurface area 95 that is defined by the width 97 times the length 99. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 4B, the second interface surface area 95 issubstantially the same as the potential contact surface area 86. Oncethe stretch releasing adhesive tape 80 is compressed against thesubstrate 22, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, it cannot be easily removedwithout a pull tab. By selectively leaving portions of the stretchreleasing adhesive tape 80 in the uncompressed state, the uncompressedportions can be used as pull tabs.

[0047]FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a cross sectional view of an alternatestretch releasing adhesive tape 100 in accordance with the presentinvention. FIG. 5A illustrates the stretch releasing adhesive tape inthe uncompressed state 102. In the uncompressed state 102, the stretchreleasing adhesive tape 100 includes a series of raised portions 104A,104B, 104C, 104D, 104E. Potential contact surface area 110 is defined bythe segments 105, 107 times the length 109.

[0048] In the uncompressed state 102, however, tips of the raisedportions 104B, 104C times the length 109 define a pair of discontinuous,non-planar first interface surface areas 106, 108 with the substrate 22.The sum of the first interface surface areas 106, 108 is significantlysmaller than the potential contact surface area 110. If a portion of thestretch releasing adhesive tape 100 is retained in the uncompressedstate 102, that portion can be removed from the substrate 22 and used asa pull tab or repositioned.

[0049]FIG. 5B illustrates the stretch releasing adhesive tape 100 ofFIG. 5A in a compressed state 116. Raised portions 104B and 104C havebeen collapsed against the substrate 22 so that the second interfacesurface area 118 is the sum of the segments 105, 107 times the length109, substantially the same as the potential contact surface area 110.

[0050]FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate an alternate stretch releasing adhesivetape 130 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6A illustratesthe stretch releasing adhesive tape 130 in the uncompressed state 132.The stretch releasing adhesive tape 130 includes a series oflongitudinal ridges or raised portions 134 that define the firstinterface surface area 136. The raised portions 134 can be formed on oneor more surfaces of the stretch releasing adhesive tape 130. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A, the first interface surface area 136is a series of elongated strips that correspond to the tips of theraised portions 134. The potential contact surface area 138 is definedby the contour of the raised portions 134 times the length 142 of thestretch releasing adhesive tape 130. The first interface surface area136, however, is significantly smaller than the potential contactsurface area 138 due to the non-planar structure defined by the ridges134.

[0051]FIG. 6B illustrates the stretch releasing adhesive tape 130 ofFIG. 6A in the compressed state 146. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6B, the second interface surface area 144 is greater than the firstinterface surface area 136, but less than the potential contact surfacearea 138. This result is due to incomplete compression of the stretchreleasing adhesive tape 130 at the locations 148 against the substrate22. In an alternate embodiment, the stretch releasing adhesive tape 130is fully compressed so that the second interface surface area 144 issubstantially the same as the potential contact surface area 138.

[0052]FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate stretch releasing adhesive tape150 with a generally rectangular cross section 152 that has been twistedto form a series of helical ridges or raised portions 154. The helicalridges 154 form discrete raised portions that define a first interfacesurface area 155 significantly smaller than the potential contactsurface area 158 defined by the width 160 and length 162 of the stretchreleasing adhesive tape 150 in the un-twisted state.

[0053]FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate stretch releasing adhesive tape170 having a generally rectangular cross section 172. Portion 171 of thestretch releasing adhesive tape 170 is compressed against the substrate22 in its rectangular form. Distal end 174 is twisted to define aplurality of helical ridges or raised portions 176. The distal end 174is retained in its uncompressed state so that the helical ridges 176define a first interface surface area 175 significantly smaller than thepotential contact surface area 178 for the distal portion 174 (asdefined by the width 180 and length 182). The ridges 176 permit that thedistal end 174 to be removed from the substrate 22 to serve as pull tabfor detaching the compressed portion 171 from the substrate 22.

[0054]FIG. 9A illustrates a hollow stretch releasing adhesive tape 280having a center aperture 282 and a series of adhesive regions 283 a, 283b, 283 c, 283 d (referred to collectively as 283) each having aplurality of discrete raised portions or bumps 284 a, 284 b, 284 c, 284d (referred to collectively as 284). The adhesive regions 283 can becontinuous or discontinuous, regularly shaped or irregularly shaped,longitudinally oriented or spiral strips, or a variety of otherconfigurations. The raised portions or bumps 284 can be a variety ofshapes, such as cones, pyramids, hemispherical projections, or irregularshape protrusions. A series of non-adhesive regions 285 a, 285 b, 285 c,285 d are positioned between the adhesive regions 283. In theuncompressed state 286, only the tips of the raised adhesive portions284 c are in contact with the substrate 22, defining a relatively smallfirst interface surface area 288. In the uncompressed state 286, thefirst interface surface area 288 permits the stretch releasing adhesivetape 280 to be repositioned or removed from the substrate 22 to serve asa pull tab.

[0055] Potential contact surface area 290 is defined by the arc length292 times the length 294. As is clear from FIG. 9A, the potentialcontact surface area 290 includes adhesive region 283 c, portions ofadhesive regions 283 b, 283 d and non-adhesive regions 285 b, 285 c.

[0056]FIG. 9B illustrates the stretch releasing adhesive tape 280 ofFIG. 9A in the compressed state 296. Aperture 282 facilitatescompression. In the compressed state 296, second interface surface area298 is greater than the first interface surface area 288. The secondinterface surface area 298 is defined by the width 300 times the length294. The second interface surface area 298 includes the adhesive region283 c, portions of the adhesive regions 283 b, 283 d and thenon-adhesive regions 285 b, 285 c. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.9B, the second interface surface area 298 is less than the potentialcontact surface area 290, although in some embodiments, they can besubstantially the same.

[0057]FIG. 10 is a front view of an article 20 attached to a substrate22 using a stretch releasing adhesive tape 190 in accordance with thepresent invention. Portion 192 of the stretch releasing adhesive tape190 is compressed between the substrate 22 and the article 20.Compressed portion 192 defines a second interface surface area 196having a length 198 and a width 200.

[0058] Exposed portion 202 of the stretch releasing adhesive tape 190 isretained in an uncompressed state 204. The geometry of the exposedportion 202 defines a first interface surface area 206 with thesubstrate 22 that is less then the potential contact surface areaavailable for engagement with the substrate 22. Consequently, the levelof adhesion of the exposed portion 202 is low enough to permit it toserve as a pull tab for removing the compressed portion 192 from thesubstrate 22.

[0059]FIG. 11 is a front view of an alternate stretch releasing adhesivetape 210 in accordance with the present invention. Compressed portion212 is located between the article 20 and substrate 22. Due to thegeometry of the stretch releasing adhesive tape 210, the compressedportion 212 can follow a serpentine or other non-linear path, therebyincreasing the size of the interface surface area 214, and hence theadhesive bond between the substrate 22 and article 20.

[0060] The exposed portion 216 is retained in an uncompressed state 218.Due to the geometry of the stretch releasing adhesive tape 210, thefirst interface surface area 220 of the exposed portion 216 is formed byraised portions, non-planar surfaces, discontinuous surfaces and otherstructures that define a surface area significantly less than thepotential contact surface area. Therefore, the exposed potion 216 can beeasily removed from the substrate 22 to form a pull tab for removing thestretch releasing adhesive tape 210.

[0061]FIG. 12 illustrates a roll 250 of a stretch releasing adhesive 252in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment,release liner 254 is located on the stretch releasing adhesive tape 252to facilitate unrolling. Frangible connections 256 may optionally beformed in the stretch releasing adhesive tape 252 to facilitate removalof sections without the use of a cutting instrument. Frangibleconnections 256 may be a perforation, slit, cut or other locations ofweakness along the length of the stretch releasing adhesive tape 252.

[0062]FIG. 13 is an alternate roll 260 of a stretch releasing adhesivetape 262 in accordance with the present invention. The stretch releasingadhesive tape is spiral wound on a core 264. The core preferablyincludes a low adhesion surface or release liner to facilitate removalof the stretch releasing adhesive tape 262.

[0063] Examples of materials suitable for use as liners include kraftpapers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester or composites of any ofthese materials which can be coated with release agents such asfluorochemicals or silicone. U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,480 describes lowsurface energy perfluorochemical liners. The preferred liners arepapers, polyolefin films, or polyester films coated with siliconerelease materials. Examples of the silicone coated release papers arePolyslik trade silicone release papers supplied by James River Co., H.P. Smith Division (Bedford Park, Ill.), and silicone coated paperssupplied by DCP-Lohja Inc. (Willowbrook, Ill.).

[0064] While several embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described, it will be recognized that various changes andmodifications may be made without deviating from the inventive conceptset for the above. Any of the features of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein can be combined.

[0065] The patents, patent documents, and patent applications citedherein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each wereindividually incorporated by reference. It will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may bemade without deviating from the inventive concept set forth above. Thus,the scope of the present invention should not be limited to thestructures described in this application, but only by the structuresdescribed by the language of the claims and the equivalents of thosestructures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stretch releasing adhesive tape article withdifferential adhesive properties in an uncompressed state and acompressed state, comprising: an elongated length of stretch releasingadhesive tape comprising at least one potential contact surface area, atleast a portion of the potential contact surface area comprising anadhesive surface having at least one raised portion, the potentialcontact surface area comprising a first interface surface area in theuncompressed state and a second interface surface area greater than thefirst interface surface area in the compressed state.
 2. The article ofclaim 1 wherein a portion of the stretch releasing adhesive tape in theuncompressed state comprises a pull tab.
 3. The article of claim Iwherein the stretch releasing adhesive tape comprises a multi-layerstructure.
 4. The article of claim I wherein the stretch releasingadhesive tape comprises a structural member.
 5. The article of claim 4wherein the structural member is selected from one of a film, an elasticfoam, an inelastic foam, a monofilament.
 6. The article of claim 1wherein the stretch releasing adhesive tape comprises a hollow portion.7. The article of claim 1 wherein the stretch releasing adhesive tapecomprises one of a pressure sensitive adhesive tape with an elasticstructural member, a pressure sensitive adhesive tape with a highlyextensible and substantially inelastic structural member, or a solidpressure sensitive adhesive.
 8. The article of claim 1 wherein thepotential contact surface area in the uncompressed state comprises anon-planar structure.
 9. The article of claim 1 wherein the potentialcontact surface area in the uncompressed state comprises a discontinuoussurface.
 10. The article of claim 1 wherein the potential contactsurface area in the compressed state comprises a substantiallycontinuous surface.
 11. The article of claim 1 wherein the stretchreleasing adhesive tape in the uncompressed state comprises across-section selected from circular, star-shaped, oval, ormulti-faceted.
 12. The article of claim I wherein the stretch releasingadhesive tape in the uncompressed state comprises a geometric shape thatprovides less surface area in the uncompressed state than in thecompressed state.
 13. The article of claim I wherein the potentialcontact surface area comprises a rectangular cross-section of stretchreleasing adhesive tape twisted to form helical ridges.
 14. The articleof claim 1 wherein the elongated length of stretch releasing adhesivetape comprises a roll of stretch releasing adhesive tape.
 15. Thearticle of claim 1 comprising a release liner adhered to the potentialcontact surface area.
 16. The article of claim 1 comprising frangibleconnections formed intermittently along the stretch releasing adhesivetape.
 17. The article of claim I wherein the stretch releasing adhesivetape comprises adhesive on the entire potential contact surface area.18. The article of claim 1 wherein the potential contact surface areacomprises adhesive regions and non-adhesive regions.
 19. A stretchreleasing adhesive tape article with differential adhesive properties ina compressed state and an uncompressed state, comprising: an elongatedlength of stretch releasing adhesive tape with adhesive on all sidesurfaces, the side surfaces having at least one potential contactsurface area, the potential contact surface area having a firstinterface surface area in an uncompressed state and a second interfacesurface area greater than the first interface surface area in acompressed state.
 20. A stretch releasing adhesive tape articlecomprising an elongated length of stretch releasing adhesive tape withadhesive on all side surfaces, the side surfaces comprising at least onenon-planar potential contact surface area in an uncompressed state. 21.A stretch releasing adhesive tape article comprising an elongated lengthof stretch releasing adhesive tape with side surfaces, the side surfacescomprising at least one potential contact surface area, the potentialcontact surface area being discontinuous in an uncompressed state andsubstantially continuous in a compressed state.
 22. A method of using astretch releasing adhesive tape article with differential adhesiveproperties, comprising the steps of: positioning a potential contactsurface area of an elongated length of stretch releasing adhesive tapeon a substrate to form a first interface surface area; compressing aportion of the stretch releasing adhesive tape to form a secondinterface surface area, the second interface surface area being greaterthan the first interface surface area; and retaining an uncompressedportion of the stretch releasing adhesive tape as a pull tab.
 23. Amethod of forming a stretch releasing adhesive tape article withdifferential adhesive properties, comprising the steps of: providing anelongated length of stretch releasing adhesive tape with a generallyrectangular cross section; twisting at least a portion of the stretchreleasing adhesive tape to form a twisted portion with a plurality ofhelical ridges; positioning the stretch releasing adhesive tape on asubstrate, the twisted portion comprising a first interface surfacearea; compressing an untwisted portion a portion of the stretchreleasing adhesive tape against the substrate to form a second interfacesurface area greater than the first interface surface area; andretaining the twisted portion in an uncompressed state to form a pulltab.